Editing Vega-Ekatera War (section)

== Expansion of the Conflict ==
Following Vega's declaration of war on Ekatera, and the associated publicization of the circumstances of LeMaire's ship's impounding and the subsequent diplomatic exchange pertaining thereto, several other nations and players on the server would express some level of opposition to Ekatera. 

=== Lonestar ===
On 7 January 2025, Chairman [[XiJinping]] of Lonestar, with the unanimous support of the Lonestar executive panel, announced on Discord that:
 On 1/5/2025, Lonestar entered into a labor exchange partnership with Ekatera, believing that what seemed to be recent improvements in the nation's leadership and management were indicative of things to come and that this partnership could bear fruit for both parties. Hours later, Ekatera, apparently emboldened by this newfound partnership, seized a trading vessel used by LeMaire and failed to resolve the situation diplomatically with Vega.
 
 Our urging of Ekatera to resolve the situation and to eliminate the risk to Lonestar partners fell upon deaf ears. In fact, Ekatera went so far as to attempt to sway Lonestar's opinion toward opposition to Vega. It is now the opinion of the Executive Panel that Ekatera is a reckless and undiplomatic nation that is willing to engage in abusive practices against traders on a whim--a gross mismanagement of its resources, a problem for interstellar corporations such as ourselves, and a threat to good business. As such, we hereby declare a mass seizure of Ekateran assets by Lonestar corporate enforcers as compensation for these transgressions. This operation is separate and apart from the ongoing Vega war against Ekatera.
 
 We demand the submission of Ekatera to an occupation of Altar Sanctorium, formerly Haven, by Lonestar forces and the appointment of a Lonestar representative to governorship of the city. It is clear that the city's current management is inept and that outside intervention is required to return it to an acceptable condition that benefits interstellar trade. We recognize that it may take a long time for Ekatera to come to terms with this, and are prepared to continue seizing their assets until they do.
 
 Lonestar will welcome Ekateran citizens displeased by their leader into its ranks.
While not a formal declaration of war, Lonestar members would begin attacking members of Ekatera following this announcement. Lonestar's offer of asylum to departing Ekaterans was taken up by the settlement Syros Republic, formerly Symred. 

Lonestar's peace demand of being granted governorship of Altar Sanctorium is broadly understood to be one that no nation on Horizon's End would fulfil, and as such is functionally tantamount to a statement that Lonestar does not intend to pursue peace with Ekatera.

=== Radiance ===
On 9 January 2025, Cherubim [[_omni]] of Radiance, on behalf of the 1st Quartet of Radiance, announced on Discord that:
 Given the recent developments regarding Ekatera's pirating of LeMaire's vessel, Radiance will be engaging in Anti-piracy against Ekatera in support of Vegan forces until LeMaire's ship is returned to her, or until Vega comes to a peace agreement with Ekatera.
While no members of Radiance and Ekatera have yet engaged in combat since this declaration, Radiance's statement represented the third major nation to take part in hostile activity against Ekatera. Radiance's declaration did not invoke the [[Ilios Alliance]] of which they are a member, as the Ilios Alliance's military requirement applies only to defensive actions, leaving [[Cortesia Del Mar]] and [[Orovika]] neutral in the conflict.